Navigation

Even though people today are more aware of the various benefits that can be derived from plastic surgeries, it is well understood that individuals with self-image disorders are more likely to seek not only primary but also revision surgeries. So it has become more important than ever before for surgeons to be more alert in identifying patients that may desire aesthetic surgeries due to underlying mental health issues. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and various psychiatric comorbidities associated with it are commonly diagnosed in patients seeking plastic surgery. These mental illnesses affect about 2% of all patients seeking cosmetic procedures. The majority of the patients comprising the 2% are often seeking rhinoplasty and liposuction, which translates to alarming statistics of the patients that end up seeking these surgeries while mentally unhealthy.

The majority of the psychiatric maladies are commonly identified in patients who are either seeking to undergo or have already undergone rhinoplasty. Patients seeking other cosmetic procedures may still need psychiatric evaluation, but those seeking nose jobs need it the most because chances are even higher they have BDD. This is a condition that makes an individual to be more preoccupied with the idea that certain parts of their body which they dislike should look better. They may keep looking at the part of the body the hate in the mirrors or any reflective surfaces. They are never satisfied even after others reassure them that they look good. The nose is one of the parts that most people with BDD tend to be upset with no matter how good it looks in the opinion of others including plastic surgeons. Only a tiny fraction of such patients are likely to have a subjective deformity and would need a Rhinoplasty NYC - best nose surgeon. But they would first need to be referred for psychiatric treatment before they are scheduled for a second consultation to decide whether they can still have the surgery.

Mental health screening for patients seeking nose jobs is an essential process that surgeons cannot afford to ignore. It significantly increases the chances of postoperative satisfaction. It helps to diagnose mental illnesses promptly so that the most effective treatment can be provided. Overlooking mental health issues of a patient during a rhinoplasty consultation process increases the likelihood of the patient ending up dissatisfied. A successful rhinoplasty can never bring happiness to a patient with BDD. Such a patient ends up requesting revision surgeries one after the other and never believes any improvement in the appearance of their nose. Chances are that the patient will also start hating the surgeon out of frustration once they realize they cannot get the perfect nose shape they seek. In any case, such patients dont really seem to know what they want from the surgery. Denying surgery in such cases is more helpful, both to the patient and the surgeon.

Since the popularity of facial plastic surgeries like rhinoplasty will keep soaring, plastic surgeons are expected to improve on how they identify patients with any form of mental illnesses. The process of identifying one is still subjective and, therefore, some of those patients may not be detected and end getting the operations they shouldnt. Questionnaires in such settings still help in the screening process, but surgeons should make the consultation processes more thorough such that they can never mean an opportunity to identify such patients. Imaging technologies should always be part of the process of selecting suitable nose job candidates. It helps to show the patient if any appearance improvements are needed or not necessary. If needed, the surgeon explains to the patients what can be done and they would know what results to expect. Postoperative stress and temporary depression may occur during the recovery period, but rhinoplasty candidates with no history of mental illnesses can easily overcome that and finally get their happiness.